Couture & Culture

Few things embody Western culture's idealized view of femininity more than a frothy tulle skirt. 

Historians believe that, at first, tulle was painstakingly woven by hand using methods similar to lace production starting around the 1700s. Modern-day tulle (also known as bobbinet) was first produced after a complex weaving machine that could efficiently produce the fabric was patented in 1809.After that, tulle became integral to high-end wedding gowns, evening dresses and lingerie. Once a prohibitively expensive and luxurious textile made of silk, tulle eventually became readily available to the masses thanks to the introduction of cheaper synthetic fibers such as nylon, rayon and polyester.

Tulle was also used to convey modesty when veiled over hats or a bride's head, as it often still is today. The tradition of wearing a bridal veil dates back to Ancient times when brides were wrapped to represent the delivery of a modest and untouched maiden.